Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I met representatives of the support group, Dignity 4 Patients, on 29 October 2009 to inform them of my decision, in consultation with the Cabinet and the Attorney General, to establish an independent review chaired by the retired High Court judge, Mr. Justice T.C. Smyth, to examine whether a further investigation into the case of Mr. Shine would be of public benefit. Mr. Justice Smyth recently began his work on the review. I am satisfied the terms of reference of the review, which have been published, allow it to give support groups, including Dignity 4 Patients, an opportunity to engage with the process, present their views, be heard in full and have those views taken into account in the outcome of the review.

An advertisement appeared yesterday in three national and five local newspapers and in one additional local newspaper today, seeking submissions to the independent review. The review is due to be completed by the middle of the year.

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